What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is suitable if you need a comprehensive level 2 course in music and/or music technology. It will be of specific relevance to:
• Young people who are aspiring to a career in the music industry but are not yet sure in which precise area, and who intend to access level 3 qualifications or a level 3 apprenticeship but need a comprehensive learning programme at level 2 before they will be ready to access level 3.
• Young people and adults usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in the music industry but need a comprehensive grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills over an extended period before identifying the most appropriate job roles and applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides you with an extended range of introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to music and music technology, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the music industry and across other sectors. You must take the following mandatory unit:
• Working in the music industry
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the music industry (such as music production and remixing skills, music marketing and promotion, song-writing skills, and music for performance) alongside generic employability skills (such as time management and setting and meeting targets at work).
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma.
The learners should take the Diploma if, before progressing to a level 3 Apprenticeship, a Level 3 qualification, or to employment (with further training where possible), the learners need a comprehensive introduction to the music industry including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge, explore a number of potential job roles and career pathways in the industry, and gain a set of more generic workplace skills.
The Diploma will be suitable but the learner would benefit from an extended period of time working at level 2, up to 2 years, before they are ready to progress to a level 3 qualification or apprenticeship or to employment.
Which sector does this qualification support?
The learner could progress from this qualification to an entry-level job role in the music industry such as a studio assistant or assistant venue manager or to become an apprentice where you might be working as a recording assistant, an assistant publicist, a radio plugger or a live sound, mastering or broadcast sound engineer.
What are the progression options?
The learners can progress to a level 3 certificate or diploma in music and/or music technology, including Technical level qualifications, or to a relevant Advanced Apprenticeship in any of the available pathways.
Progression & entry requirements
The learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. The qualification is available to learners aged 16 and over.
